Tears, angry shouts and threats of lawsuits followed on the heels of the Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees decision Monday evening to deny tenure to beloved drama teacher Rob Seitelman.
“So you voted (not to) re-elect him? Is that correct?” said Betsy Dwyer, parent of one of Seitelman’s students. “Boo. Why? How could you do that? What is wrong with you? Jesus, I’m not done with you. I’m going to the bigger fish. I’m just appalled.”
After 10 minutes of protests from students, parents and Seitelman’s Mountain View High School colleagues, Board President Susan Sweeley made a threat of her own.
“This is out of hand,” Sweeley said. “You know, I really don’t want to have to call the police.”
Sweeley didn’t summon police, and the crowd peacefully dispersed.
An estimated 40 students, parents and teachers delivered emotional pleas Monday to save Seitelman’s job; Mountain View High School Principal David Grissom made the decision last week to not re-elect the teacher once his two-year probational term expires this year. California State law prohibits the school district from revealing the reasoning behind Grissom’s decision and the board’s 5-0 vote to approve it. But that didn’t prevent students and parents from speculating.
‘Is it all about the money?” Dwyer said. “Is it you just don’t want to hire anybody for longer than two years? Even if they’re the best thing to ever happen to your school?”
“I’ve told you all I can possibly tell you on this,” said board vice president Phil Faillace, at times shouting back at the protestors. “I will not break the law for you.”
Seitelman attended Monday’s meeting, sitting quietly in the back of the room during the proceedings. He left the building immediately after Sweeley announced the board’s decision.
Before the announcement, Seitelman said he has nothing but respect for Grissom and that the principal’s decision to deny him tenure came as a “complete shock.” He had no plans to protest, but students and parents chose to fight on his behalf.
“My heart is absolutely full with all the support,” Seitelman said after the public comment session. “I’m humbled and awed. Most people do not have the fortune of this experience. It’s like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ or ‘A Christmas Carol’ to have this experience. I can’t repay this community for its support, these students, these parents. I don’t even have the words right now.”
See the March 18 print edition for expanded coverage of this story.
